George did not follow
her. After a minute he said
: `You
know, don't you, that you're one of the loveliest women in England.'
The clock: on the mantelshelf began to strike; five. When it had finished, she said: `If what you say were even half true, it would
be
kind of you; but I think, with Francis not here, a liberty. As I know-'
`If the truth's a liberty, then I've taken it,' George brushed a hand down his embroidered waistcoat, not perfectly at ease but not at all in retreat, `because the truth it is. I move in society a great deal and I assure you I am neither fla
ttering you nor presuming.
Turn round. Look at yourself in the glass. Or perhaps you know yourself, too well to realise. Men realise. Other men besides myself. And there would be many such, of both sexes, if you moved about more freely and were to be seen. Even now I hear people say, "D'you remember Elizabeth Poldark -Chynoweth that was? Now there was a beauty for you. I wonder what's come of her"'
`Do you 'suppose
'
`If,' said George, `if Francis would let me, I could help him. Let him play with hi
s mine if he wants to, but that
need only be
a side issue. Once before when
I came here I mentioned sinecure positions. Today I could, get him nominated for two. There; is no disgrace in them. Ask your parson how: he gained his church or, your major his battalion
-
by
having; a friend speak, for him
at the right time. This
-
this existence is no existence at all for you. Your poverty is not' only undeserved -
it's unnecessary!'
Elizabeth was silent. Whatever, she thought of George's compliments, it was a, sore spot he touched.) She was twenty-eight now, and her lease of beauty was not inde
finite. She could count on the
fing
ers of one hand the number of he
r outings since her twenty-fifth birthday.
Oh, George, you're very kind, Don't think I don't know that. The more so because I realise you have nothing to gain, I
-
’
'On
the contrary,' said George, 'I have everything to gain.'
'I scarcely know quite what to say. You heap favours upon my mother and father, upon my son, and would on Francis if he wo
uld allow you. I wish I could s
ee some end to this
quarrel, I truly wish I could. But
in suggesting that it's a trivial thing, don't you deceive yourself: None of it's
as simple as you make it sound. I wish it were. I should be happy enough to see our friendship restored,'
He came over to the fireplace. 'And will do your part to restore it?'
If you will do yours.'
How?'
`Help to convince R
oss that you are not his enemy.
'I am not interested in Ross.'
`No, but Francis is Ross's partner now. You'll not reassure one without the other.'
George stared down
at hi
s riding crop. Perhaps the look
in his eyes was not for, her.
`You credit me with superna
tural powers. What do you want
me to do?'
`If you'll do what you can,' said Elizabeth, `I'll do what I can.' `I hope I may hold
you to that bargain.' `You may.’
He bent over her hand and this time kissed it, with a rather dated
formality which yet conveyed
what he meant it to convey.
He said Please don't bother to show me out. My horse is at the door.'
He left the room, shutting the door after him, and crossed the great empty hall. The wind was rattling a loose window. As he reached t
he front door, Aunt Agatha came
out of the small drawing-room and began tottering across in his direction. He tried to avoid being seen, but although she was nearly stone-deaf-her eyesight was sharp enough.
`Whv, if it isn't George Warleggan, or I'm a dunce! Don't
mumble now! People will mumble. 'Tis, years since you
put foot inside
our place, I'll swear. Getting
too grand for us, are you?'
George smiled and bowed over the withered hand. `I; salute you, old hag. The worms must be tired of waiting. It's not seemly when people rot while they're still above ground.'
`Getting too grand for us, I b'lieve,' said Agatha, one trembling claw going to join the other on her stick. `Look at that waistcoat. I remember you when you was a boy, George, not hardly bigger'n Geoffrey Charl
es. Quite overawed you was, com
ing here that first tithe. Different now.'
George smiled and nodded. `There should be a law to poison
off old women, ma'am. Or a pillow pressed over the face !
would not take long. If you were the last of the Poldarks, I'd do it myself. But never fret, your great-nephews are digging their own graves. It won't be long.'
A slow bead of water escaped from Aunt Agatha's eye and slid diagonally down one of the furrows on her cheek. This was no sign of emotion, it just happened from time to time.
`You
was always Francis's friend, I
remember, never Ross's. What's that you say? Nervous you was, that first time, and hardly fledged, an' Charles saying, what's the boy brought him from school with him now? Well, times, has changed. I mind the years when you couldn't have rid over from Truro in all that falallery without being turned heel over tip by
some footpad or needy tinner.
Have you seen Francis?'
`I've seen Elizabeth,' said George, bowing again. `You remind me of forgotten things, old woman. Die soon, won't you, and be forgotten yourself.'
`Good-bye,' said Aunt Agatha. `Come again and stop to supper. We're uncommon short of company these days.'
Frances reached, home just b
efore six. He-found Elizabeth
sittin
g by the window, embroidering a
stool cover, and Aunt Agatha crouching over the tiny fire.
`Whoo, it's hot in here.' 'He went across to on, of the windows and opened it. `Really, old lady, you'd be better in bed than cramping your old bones there.' But he did not say it unkindly.
Aunt Agatha screwed up h
er eyes at him. 'You've missed
our visitor, Francis. Missed him by a skin,' I should say. 'Tisn't often we've a visitor these days. - You should have asked him to supper, Elizabeth.'
Francis looked at his wife and she flushed, furious that the old lady had forestalled her and furious that she cared.
`George Warleggan came.'
`George?' The way Francis said the word was enough. `You saw him?'
`Yes. He didn't stay long'
`So I should think not. What did he want?'
Elizabeth raised her grey eyes, which at times like this could look especially; candid and virginal. `I don't think he wanted anything. He said he thought it unnecessary to go, on with this quarrel'
`This quarrel
'
`And very cordial
he w
as too,' said Aunt Agatha. `For
tune's improved this manners, or I'm a dunce. Quite
like old times
'ti
s
having
a man make
a knee to you.'
Francis said. `I wonder if he knew my back was turned.'
Elizabeth went on with her embroidery, 'He said he and you had been friends since, childhood, he did not wish
the estrangemen
t to continue as it was. He had, he
said, no
desire at all to intrude on your private affairs or Ross's, his only wish being to help us to a
fuller enjoyment of our lives.
'
'You speak as if you
have learned the lesson well.'
Elizabeth's fingers flickered uncertainly over, her work basket, selecting a new colour. `That was what he said. You' may take it or leave it as you please, Francis.'
Aunt Agatha said
: `I mind it was the year of that Du Barry scandal, or was it the year after, that you first brought him here. Stuggy little boy, he was, and the clothes they sent him in Velvets and silks, you could s
ee his mother'd no taste; and h
e staring about like a bull calf that had strayed from its stab.'
`He has an easy, oily tongue,' said Francis, `and a persuasive damned way of putting things. I know it to my cost. Does he suppose we shall live a fuller life because of the boon off his friendship? I don't think his flatteries can convince you of that.'
I can form my own judgments,' Elizabeth
said.,'Though I
couldn't but be aware that if it wasn't for his forbearance in the matter of mortgages we should not be living a life at all.'
Francis bit his thumb
thoughtfully.
I confess I don't
under
stand his forbearance. It's out of character.
Now that I'm in partnership with Ross
, That's why
the adventure at Wheal
Grace is in Geoffrey Charles's name. But George makes no move.'
`Except towards friendship,' said Elizabeth, Francis went to the open window and let the cool air waft on
his Face
, `I can't help but feel that I owe my immunity to you'
`To me? That's silly, Really, Francis-''
`Silly? Far from it. George has been making sheep's eyes
at
you for years. I'd never supposed him to be sufficiently human to let any warmer feeling interfere with his business aims, but
lacking a better explanation .
.'
Elizabeth got up. 'I hope you'll find a
better. I
must go and read to Geoffrey Charles.'
As she passed Francis, he caught her arm. The relationship between them had been kinder these last two years, though it was never warm. He said. `We may disagree, but I think his coming today has a plain enough reason. Whatever you may think he feels for me or I may think he feels for you, we can't doubt what he thinks o
f Ross. If by befriending us he can put a new
divisio
n between us and Ross, he will
certainly have gained his object. Do you want him to do that?'
Elizabeth was silent for a moment. Then she said : `No.'
`Nor I' He released her arm and she went slowly out.
Aunt Agatha said : `You should have asked him for supper. We've plenty as it happens. But 'tisn't like it was when C
harles was alive. I sadly miss
your father, boy. He was the last one that knew how to entertain in a proper genteel way.'
On his way home, at Bargus Cross where the gibbet stood, George met Dwight Enys, who was coming from the direction of Goon Prince. Dwight would have saluted and ridden on, but George halted and the two horses closed together.
`Well, Dr. Enys you ride far on your' medical duties. Never to Truro, I suppose?'
'Seldom to Truro.'
`And when in, Truro you do not venture as far as the Warleggans.'
Dwight made some show of quieting his horse while be thought out his reply. He d
ecided
to be frank. `I've had nothing but friendship from your family, Mr. Warleggan, and feel nothing but friendship in. return; but the Poldarks of Nampara are my chief friends; I live on the edge of their land, work among their mining folk, sup at thei
r
table, and share their confidence. In that event it seems better that I should not attempt to get the best of both worlds.'
George did not move his neck but allowed his eyes to explore Dwight's shabby velvet coat with its gilt buttons.
`Are the two worlds so divided that an independent man
cannot pass from one to the other of his own free will?' `I have taken it so,' Dwight said. George's fare darkened.
`
Men's tongues in some things outrun women's. Your own affairs prosper?'
`Well enough, thank you.'
`I was at the Penvenens' place last week, and
gather that
you are the regular physician there now.'
`Mr. Penvenen keeps in very good health. I don't see much of him.'
`They tell me that his niece is back.' `Indeed.'
`I understand you did some clever operation on her throat and saved her life.'
`I think men's tongues have outrun the women's in that also.'
George did riot greatly appreciate having his own words t
urned back on him. He began to
feel a growing dislike
for
young Enys, who spoke so bluntly and hardly bothered to hide his sympathies. George; did not spend his time in company which cared nothing for his approval or disapproval.
`For my part,' he said, 'I have no faith in physicians or apothecaries, I think they kill as many as they cure. My family is fortunate in note yet being effete as so many of the older families are"
He rode on, followed by his
servant. Dwight stared after
him, then tugge
d on his horse's rein and went
his, way, That he had offended an influential man he knew. In his profession he would have preferred it otherwise, but he had long since chosen his friends. What did concer
n him was something else. `They
tell me that his niece is back,' George had said. If Caroline Penvenen was really home,
it meant the destruction of his peace of m
ind,
Dwight's business was in Sawle; and as he was leading his horse down the steep slippery lane to the fish sheds at the bottom, he heard a clatter behind him
and saw that Rosi
na Hoblyn had fallen on the stones. She had been carrying a bucket of water, and be looped the reins of his horse over a post and went to help her to her feet, But he could not get her up. Any tentative approaches he had made to the subject
of why the nineteen-year-old Rosina walked with a bad limp had been headed off by her family, who seemed to be afraid of the subject. Now her pretty, thin face was white with pain, and he had to lift her to her feet.
'Tis my knee, sur. 'Twill be all right in a moment. Sometime he go like this and I can't move him at all. Thank you.'
Her younger sister Parthesia
came skipping out of the house
and retrieved the bucket and curtsied at the doctor and put an arm out to help Rosina.
`No, not yet,' she said, and to Dwight: `if I wait, 'twill ease off.'
After a few minutes they` got her inside. Dwight was glad that Jacka the father was not there, as his moods could
go
all ways.
With his
no nonsense face, Dwight waved away Ro
sina
's and Mrs. Hoblyn's protests
that it was really all nothing
at all, that if she sat on the table and swung her
leg it would pass off, and bent
to examine
the knee, half fearing to find
heaven knew what scrofulous condition. He did not find it. Swollen certainly and a little red, but the skin was not shiny or hot; to the touch.
'You say this trouble began eight years ago?'
`Yes, sur, 'bout that.'
`Does it hurt all the time?'
'No, sur, only when it d'go stiff like this.'
`And have you had the same tr
ouble with
your hip?'
No, sur, there's nothing amiss wi' that.'
'Do you ever have a discharge from the knee?'
'No, sur. 'Tis
just. as